Give with all your heart

If you really want to learn something
Don't believe the advertising.
They'll tell you it's 'simple and easy'
Hearing that should make you queasy.

I decided, on my niece's birthday
A home-made gift (much less to pay!)
So I bought a doll-house kit
The commercials said 'Buy it, buy it'.

Now I'm physically and mentally
Exhausted! And finally
Ready to get some expert advice
Even if it's at a price.

The expert comes in, at $$ per hour
And proceeds to make doll house and tower.
First, you get the foundation in
By jabbing cardboard with a pin.

Once the cardboard is strong and all
You make each wall so tall.
You take your pick of thin and thick
Rod, straw and ice-cream stick.

You glue them vertically, an inch apart
Then on the roof you can start.
That involves squared bits of paper
To the top they have to taper.

Tie them, glue them, pin and bind them
But make sure you do not grind them!
Now your house is almost done
What's left involves colours and fun.

You paint it any colour you choose
A rainbow, if that strikes your muse.
Then you add the accessories
A garden, with flowers and berries.

Your niece will surely get a thrill!
But you need to chill
The expert gives you his bill
(well, it's not quite half-a-mill)

Next time, buy the thing off the shelf
When you try do it yourself
It's clumsy and not a keeper
And the ready-made is much cheaper!